Safari Guru

Bisate Lodge

A luxury lodge with a vision, and a view; Bisate Lodge Rwanda combines the ultimate primate safari experiences with their pioneering goal of reforestation and community partnership. Owned and managed by Wilderness Safaris Bisate has been one of Africa's favourite, and most forward-thinking new luxury safari establishments in the last decade.

Adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, Bisate Lodge is in a natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone, with dramatic views of the peaks of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes rearing up through Afro-alpine forests.

Reflecting the rich culture of rural Rwanda, Bisate Lodge boasts six opulent en-suite forest villas, which maximise comfort and views while adhering to environmentally responsible principles. Bisate is Rwanda's first genuinely luxurious and eco-sensitive safari camp, centred on Africa's most immersive wild primate experience.

Considered a top-order bucket-list experience; encountering one of the highly endangered mountain gorilla groups while on a primate safari in the nearby Volcanoes National Park is a truly unique experience.

Bisate Lodge is within easy driving distance of the Park Headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily in groups of up to eight. Following the global COVID pandemic, group sizes and protocols could change moving forward. Safari Guru and our preferred partner network in Rwanda recommend that visitors engage with two trekking permits, as the second trek can often prove more gratifying as one relaxes into the experience.

Aside from the area's iconic mountain gorillas, other mammals include the golden monkey, side-striped jackal, serval, black-fronted duiker, elephant, bushbuck. Walks on Bisate's property offer birding and a number of the 178 species from the area can be seen. Thirteen species are endemic to the Virunga area, including Archer's robin chat, mountain black boubou, strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, mountain masked apalis and Rwenzori (collared) apalis.

Bisate's vision of reforestation and rehabilitation means that each guest contributes to biodiversity conservation and local community upliftment – making a far-reaching positive impact on an iconic endangered species: the mountain gorilla. Guests are also encouraged to participate in the reforestation programme.

Bisate Lodge in Rwanda connects well with Wilderness Safaris newly opened Magashi Camp, offering the more traditional East Africa styled savannah safari. Situated on a peninsula overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga in north-eastern Akagera National Park – this is an area of outstanding scenic savannah dotted with floodplains, lakes and hills, and home to jaw-dropping birdlife and an impressive range of wildlife that includes buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, giraffe, hyaena, topi and roan.

Rwanda's main airport in the capital city of Kigali offers daily connections into East African countries of Tanzania and Kenya for visitors wishing to combine their highly-engaging gorilla safari with the Great Migration, Zanzibar or some of the other well-known and top national parks for wildlife viewing. Safari Guru understands the best connections and safari offerings to combine Bisate Lodge with well-suited luxury camp creating a well-rounded and rewarding safari experience.